Should New Jersey Devils Have Traded Martin Brodeur At Deadline?

By Greg Higgins

Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

The NHLtrade deadline came and went on Wednesday and the New Jersey Devils held on to a player many people thought they wouldn’t. There was a lot of speculation on whether or not goalie Martin Brodeur would remain on the roster for the Devils once it was all said and done.

Perhaps the asking price was too steep by the Devils, or perhaps there wasn’t an interest by other teams in the veteran goalie. However, I find it hard to believe there wasn’t anybody out there looking for a serviceable goalie for the playoff run.

Brodeur isn’t quite as young as he once was and he may not be the same goalie, but he’s proven this year that he can still play at a very good level. Several goalies changed uniforms before the deadline, but Brodeur wasn’t one of them.

Was this a good move for the Devils? Was the right choice made going forward? They currently sit in the 11th spot in the Eastern Conference standings and they’re only four points behind the No. 8 spot.

Maybe they can somehow sneak into the playoffs this year. Chances are slim that they will make it out of the first round, but if this is the case, why wouldn’t you try to trade him and get some pieces to help build for the future?

Even though he didn’t get traded, Brodeur didn’t get the start in goal against the Detriot Red Wings. Brodeur defeated Detroit Tuesday 4-3, but backup goalie Corey Schneider got the nod Friday in a 7-4 loss to the Red Wings.

I’m not sure what will happen with the Devils going forward, but I wonder if they’ll question the choice to not trade Brodeur in 2014 when they had the chance.